London Transport AEC Merlin with Driving Instructor

[roybarford]

bus drivers don't bloody drive like that anymore!

[DaveInBridport]

Remember HD SMSs on 114 etc and EW SMSs on 186/286. Only have the destination blinds as memories now!

[ECWH60RD]

Car overtaking at 2:05 - Vauxhall? must have been ancient even in 1973

[raymondrayban]

WHAT A NICE PLACE HARROW USED TO BE!,............then they all came PAKIS,AFGANS,somalis,turks,rom­ainians,kurds,AND EVERY SCUMBAG YOU CAN THINK OF!,.............and turned harrow and its surrounding areas,.INTO UTTER SHITHOLES!,.....if only we could turn the clock back!

[ALANSWEETIES99]

Very nice riding by bus!!!

[1100HondaCB]

I know he's an instructor, but he sounds like an examiner. Why do examiners all sound the same. When I did my HGV, my examiner sounded exactly like this. It made me even more nervous. At the end of the road turn leeeeeeeeeeeeeft.

[elli1897]

Also shows how good the training was on LT and what advanced Driving should be.

[pharbi1]

i remember when i was a nipper ( i grew up in belfast in the seventies). busses were in such sort supply because of the damage from the troubles that belfast corporation bought loads of ex london transport fleet to replace destroyed stock. i used to go to school on ex LT merlins. they were pressed into action so quickly that they still wore lovely gold london transport livery...as a kid i thought it was cool.our own bristol r.e has been removed recenty. distintive noise like the rm.rip rm and re

[JollyRodders]

I remember these buses on the 110 route with the single door at the front and the double door Merlins on the 111 route with the automatic ticket machines with turnstiles...which everyone avioded by going straight to the driver.

[lgu954k]

This must have been 1973 or later - Northwick Park Hospital visible at 1:15-20 on the right wasn't started until then. I grew up in Harrow travelling on HD and EW SMSs and was in love with them - in the hands of a good driver they were magnificent vehicles. The LSs that replaced them could be driven by anyone, it seemed. For my money, the last genuine 'London' bus.

[Wanley999]

Just so representative of those many years ago. LOVE IT!

[Gauge1channel]

you dont get drives like you did then all bloody mad these days

[HondaH100A]

London seems a much more civilised place compared to now. Even smaller cities seem much busier now than in the video. I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially the commentary and the level of professionalism employed in the driving.

[jack253]

Omg cant believe how much England Changed from 70's onwards England is such a different country now

[birdman404]

not many japanese cars in these days!!

[Bevoin1970]

I really really enjoyed that, was great spotting some classic old cars and lorries in that film. Took me back to my teens. Did the roads seem quiet or is it me ? Probably were back then.

Wish I had a time machine....... :-) Thanks for posting

[alitshah]

east lane north wembley station at 4:49!

[metadyneman]

I hated the MB MBS and SMS buses when they first appeared. They ousted the RT's off the 97 in Ealing (which became the E2).. The MBS was like a cattle truck compared with an RT!

[markthebass]

Station Road (04:10) became one-way soon after this film was made, as did much of Harrow town centre, much of which now barely compares with that of the early 1970s. 04:24 - Alexandria Avenue I think, then possibly Eascote, anyone else recognise it? I'll take my anorak off now (!) - see posts below.

[deselmes]

Well, I did suggest that 4:23 to 4:37 took place in Greenford Road, Greenford - it certainly looks like the junction with Costons Lane, heading south towards Greenford Broadway.

[markthebass]

You did indeed - not so familiar with the lower end of Greenford Road. I guess the railway bridge at 4:45 must be Greenford then. I think location-wise, that's pretty much it then.

[markthebass]

The Bus Stop is just before Pebworth Road. At 01:15, view of Northwick Park and the hospital. 01:42 - out of sequence now, I think this is Whitton Avenue East, heading back to the Greenford Road junction. 02:14 - top of Greenford Road (IBM building visible on skyline), over the staggered junction into the southern end of Sudbury Court Drive. 03:02 - Sheepcote Road, heading north, then left into Station Road. 03:41 - Sopers on right, became Debenhams soon after this film was shot.

[markthebass]

Thought I'd post again, as you see so few films of everyday life from years ago like this - particularly my old stomping ground! I've identified a few more locations for those that live/lived there, as I did. Starts heading west along Whitton Avenue West, passes junction with Wood End Lane on the roundabout, Northolt/Sudbury Hill area. 00:19 - heading along The Crescent towards Sudbury Court Drive (the dual carriageway opposite), turning into Watford Road towards Harrow.

[markthebass]

Would appear to be Kenton, Northwick Park and then Harrow town centre towards the end. Sopers store at the end - is now Debenhams (or was in the 80s/90s anyway!). Harrow must have had its one-way system installed very soon after this film was made. Very nostalgic - took the bus to school over some of that route in the late 60s/70s. Thanks for posting.

[deselmes]

I'm pretty sure the setting for the first 18 seconds of this film is Whitton Avenue West, Northolt, while the period between 4:23 and 4:37 takes place in Greenford Road, Greenford.

[Gaz5976]

Wish the traffic was that quiet nower days!

[mahara32]

i love london.

[Lurkalotalot]

Any idea where this film was shot?

[tecmovie]

Seems to be around Harrow UK

[Lurkalotalot]

Thank you, tecmovie, an area with which I'm not familiar.

I was a regular user of MB operated route 99 (Woolwich to Erith), on which MB623 was used, sister vehicle to the one in the video.

Steve

[Itsnotawig]

@Lurkalotalot  Harrow, North Wembley

[MrAlitrab]

@Lurkalotalot sudbury, london

[paddingtonfire]

Fantastic film, that drone of the Merlin really takes me back to my childhood. LT way ahead of its time with that form of instruction. Brilliant stuff.